U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
Permafix of South Georgia - Removal Polrep
Final Removal Polrep
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region IV
|
|
Subject:
|
POLREP #3
Final POLREP
Permafix of South Georgia
B42Q
Valdosta, GA
Latitude: 30.7978701 Longitude: -83.2786023
|
|
To:
|
J.R. Campbell, Director, Georgia EPD Emergency Response
|
|
From:
|
Chris Russell, FOSC
|
|
Date:
|
9/9/2013
|
|
Reporting Period:
|
|
|
1. Introduction
|
|
|
1.1 Background
|
|
|
|
|
Site Number: |
B42Q |
|
Contract Number: |
|
|
D.O. Number: |
|
|
Action Memo Date: |
|
|
Response Authority: |
CERCLA |
|
Response Type: |
Emergency |
|
Response Lead: |
PRP |
|
Incident Category: |
Removal Action |
|
NPL Status: |
Non NPL |
|
Operable Unit: |
|
|
Mobilization Date: |
8/14/2013 |
|
Start Date: |
|
|
Demob Date: |
|
|
Completion Date: |
8/23/2013 |
|
CERCLIS ID: |
|
|
RCRIS ID: |
|
|
ERNS No.: |
|
|
State Notification: |
|
|
FPN#: |
|
|
Reimbursable Account #: |
|
1.1.1 Incident Category
EPA Emergency Response to a release of hazardous substances into the environment.
1.1.2 Site Description
Permafix of South Georgia: A temporary storage and disposal facility (TSDF) for hazardous substances located in Valdosta, Georgia.
1.2.1 Location
1812 Jimmy P. Rodgers, Circle, Valdosta (Lowndes County) Georgia.
1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
Release of hazardous substances into the environment due to an explosion and fire at a TSDF which contained 1800 drums of hazardous substances, as well as above ground storage tanks of hazardous substances and roll-off boxes of wastes.
1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
On August 14, 2013, OSC Russell was dispatched to the Permafix of South Georgia facility in Valdosta, Georgia. Upon arriving on site, OSC Russell observed the release and potential release of hazardous substances (listed hazardous wastes, hazardous substances, and characteristic hazardous wastes) into the environment due to an explosion and fire that occurred at this facility a few hours earlier.
|
|
2. Current Activities
|
|
|
2.1 Operations Section
|
|
|
|
2.1.1 Narrative
On August 14, 2013, an explosion occurred at the Permafix of South Georgia facility in Valdosta, Georgia. The explosion occurred when an employee was off-loading a 55-gallon container of acetone type waste into a fuel blending pot. The explosion resulted in a two-alarm fire which engulfed half of the facility and lead to the evacuation of residents and businesses in a one mile radius. Three different fire departments responded, as well as the following Agencies: FBI, ATF, OSHA, and Georgia EPD. EPA Region 4 dispatched Florida Outpost OSC Russell to the scene to oversee removal operations. Upon arriving on site a Unified Command was established with the RP, Valdosta FD, ATF, Georgia EPD, and OSHA. On the afternoon of August 16, 2013, due to the result of ATF and OSHA's on-site investigations having been completed, the Unified Command was adjusted to the following: EPA, Valdosta FD, Georgia DNR, Georgia EPD, and the RP.
2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
The initial fire was contained on August 14, 2013. Continual flare ups continued until August 17th. Valdosta Fire Department personnel extinguished the flare ups as they occurred.
EPA with START support have conducted water monitoring in the tributary, as well as in Mud Creek which is down gradient from the Site. No deceased fish or animals were noted in the assessments. Furthermore, the dissolved oxygen and Ph levels in the tributary were in normal ranges. The dissolved oxygen in Mud Creek was lower, however, it is unknown if this was related to the release of materials or due to normal summer conditions in the creek. Georgia DNR is working with the PRP to develop a Contamination Assessment Plan. Georgia DNR will oversee the long term remediation activities for this Site.
EPA has provided air monitoring support to Local, State, and Federal Agencies making entries into the facility to conduct fire/explosion investigations.
During this reporting period, the following activities have taken place: the vast majority of the impacted 55-gallon drums have been opened up and the contents were properly secured; the "in-coming" storage area has been demolished and the holding pad has been decontaminated, the roof structure housing the secondary storage containment area has been demolished; all free liquids have been removed, and the transition of the Site activities from an Emergency Response to a long term Cleanup with Georgia EPD oversight has been completed.
2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
A potentially responsible party has been identified (Permafix of South Georgia).
2.1.4 Progress Metrics
| Waste Stream |
Medium |
Quantity |
Manifest # |
Treatment |
Disposal |
| Firefighting run-off (Hazardous Waste) |
Liquid |
60,000 gallons |
|
|
X |
| Mixed liquid wastes from drums, rain, firefighting |
Liquid |
40,000 gallons |
|
|
X |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.2 Planning Section
|
|
|
|
2.2.1 Anticipated Activities
Georgia EPD will provide regulatory oversight during the long term cleanup phase.
2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities
EPA's response activities have been completed. GaEPD will ensure the all of the wastes collected will be properly disposed of. Furthermore, GaEPD will ensure that remediation of impacted soils and the adjoining creek will take place.
2.2.1.2 Next Steps
No further actions are forthcoming from the EPA.
2.2.2 Issues
No issues have been identified.
|
|
|
2.3 Logistics Section
|
|
|
|
Each responding Agency provided their own logistical support.
|
|
|
2.4 Finance Section
|
|
|
|
No information available at this time.
|
|
|
2.5 Other Command Staff
|
|
|
|
2.5.1 Safety Officer
Mike Folgan, CIH, Hepaco is the identified Safety Officer for future operations.
2.5.2 Liaison Officer
N/A
2.5.3 Information Officer
City of Valdosta provided the PIO and they worked in conjunction with the RP's Communication Team.
|
|
3. Participating Entities
|
|
|
3.1 Unified Command
EPA, Georgia DNR, Georgia EPD, VFD, and the RP.
3.2 Cooperating Agencies
|
|
4. Personnel On Site
|
|
|
EPA-1
START-1
GaEPD-1
Ga DNR-2
Valdosta FD-3
RP-5
Contractor (Hepaco)-18
Valdosta EMA-1
|
|
5. Definition of Terms
|
|
|
No information available at this time.
|
|
6. Additional sources of information
|
|
|
No information available at this time.
|
|
7. Situational Reference Materials
|
|
|
No information available at this time.
|
|
|
